The Bulletin
of the
Church of Christ at
New Georgia
Tim Johnson, editor
March 25, 2007
In
This Issue:
Will
You Stand Alone?
by
Tim Johnson
Will You Stand Alone?
II Corinthians 5:10 - "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad."
A judgment awaits all of mankind. Each man and woman who has ever lived, is living or will live must give an account of the things he or she does while inhabiting this mortal body. This judgment will be no laughing matter, for God is a just God, demanding obedience from His creation and exacting reward or punishment to each soul based upon the observance of His commands, or lack thereof (Romans 2:7-10).
No one will take the place of another in this judgment, for each one must give an account for himself (Romans 14:12). Standing before the great God of heaven and asked to give an answer for the deeds done while in this earthly body, no one will be there to answer for us - no trial lawyer, no teacher, no employer, no parent, no husband or wife, no child. Those who have done evil, willfully breaking the commandments found in God's Holy Word, will receive everlasting punishment in hell, where there will be pain, torment, fire, gnashing of teeth. No one will take this person's place. He will bear this punishment alone, for never-ending eternity.
However, for that person who has kept God's commandments, has loved and followed Jesus Christ all the days of his mortal life, there will be One who will stand with him at this final judgment. Jesus Christ Himself will stand to help this person answer for the deeds done while on this earth. At the point in life when this person became accountable to God, Jesus will vouch that His blood removed all sin present when this person rendered obedience to the gospel (Acts 22:16). As this person lived his life, there were times when sin arose. For those times, Jesus' blood will cover these wrongs because this person adhered to God's commands concerning sin in his life by confessing such sin, turning away from his evil practice and praying to God for forgiveness (I John 1:9). A glorious reward will be given to such a person to live in heaven with God, Jesus and all the holy saints and angels, never to be alone for never-ending eternity.
No one has to stand before God alone. Jesus is willing to stand with each and every person to help him answer for the deeds done in the body. All we have to do is love Him and follow Him. When we do, He will:
"Hold my hand, All the way,
Every hour, every day
From here to the great unknown.
Take my hand, help me stand
Where no one stands alone!"
Our God is an awesome God! He is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29)! Will you stand to face Him&ldots;ALONE?
-- Tim Johnson